Just a Touch Away

by Chris Paynter

  Cloe licked her lips as she tried to find her voice. “I don’t want to stop.” She took Lindsey’s hand and pressed it to her left breast.

  Lindsey lightly pinched her nipple and lowered her lips to Cloe’s. She swiped her tongue along Cloe’s lower lip, once, twice, then dipped inside. Cloe moaned as the kiss deepened. Lindsey seemed content to keep kissing her and caressing her nipple, but Cloe’s body yearned for more. Much, much more. She squirmed and tightened her legs as the desire grew stronger.

  “What do you need, Cloe? Do you need me here?” Lindsey dipped her head to take Cloe’s nipple in her mouth.

  “God, yes,” Cloe hissed.

  As Lindsey continued sucking on Cloe’s nipple, her other hand brushed against Cloe’s right nipple but didn’t stop there. She traced her fingers along Cloe’s abdomen and stopped right before she reached Cloe’s mound. Lindsey rose and met Cloe’s eyes. “Where else do you need me?”

  In answer, Cloe took Lindsey’s hand and lowered it below. She parted her legs. “I need you here,” she said and pressed Lindsey’s hand into her wetness.

  Lindsey kept eye contact as she brushed her fingers through Cloe’s folds.

  “Yes, Lindsey. Yes.” Cloe knew it wouldn’t take much. As soon as Lindsey touched Cloe’s clit, the orgasm slammed into Cloe’s body. She cried out and clamped her legs to keep Lindsey’s fingers there. Eventually, the aftershocks ended. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, embarrassed with her quick climax. “It seems I’m a lightweight.”

  Lindsey gave her a gentle smile. “You’re wonderful.”

  Cloe reached up and pulled Lindsey to her for another kiss. Lindsey trailed her kisses along Cloe’s neck, to each nipple, to her stomach and lower.

  Oh, God. Is she going where I think she’s going?

  Lindsey pressed her lips to the inside of Cloe’s left knee then her right one. Up one thigh then the other. As she reached the juncture between Cloe’s legs, Cloe tensed. Lindsey stared up at her. “I’ll stop, if you want.”

  Cloe looked into the depths of Lindsey’s blue eyes, which had darkened to an almost purple. Did she want this? She always thought of it as the ultimate intimacy, something she long wondered if she could enjoy. Did she trust Lindsey? She knew the answer was yes. Yes, or she wouldn’t have let Lindsey make love to her. She opened her legs even farther.

  Lindsey ran her fingers inside Cloe’s thighs until she spread her open.

  This is going to happen. It’s really going to happen. Before the last thought left her mind, Lindsey’s tongue dipped into her folds. Cloe reached down and gripped Lindsey’s hair. Lindsey circled Cloe’s clit with her tongue then sucked it between her lips. Cloe pulled Lindsey tighter, certain she was hurting her. But she couldn’t stop the motion even if she wanted to.

  I never thought it would feel like this. I read plenty of lesbian romances, but they could never capture the sensations roiling through my body. Like what I feel when her lips touch me there. And there. Jesus.

  Lindsey brought her finger to Cloe’s opening and stayed on the edge. Cloe realized she was waiting. Waiting for Cloe.

  She shifted her hips down. “Yes!” she cried out as Lindsey slipped her finger inside and captured her clit again with her mouth. Cloe thought her first orgasm would be enough. But this? Nothing compared to this. Her hips kept motion with Lindsey’s finger that dipped inside even farther. “Oh, God. Oh, God.” She held Lindsey’s head tight as her climax overtook her. “Lindsey!” She didn’t let go of Lindsey’s hair until the last throbbing ended.

  Lindsey slowly eased out of Cloe and pressed one last kiss against Cloe’s mound. She moved up to lie beside her. “Hey,” Lindsey said softly as she wiped Cloe’s cheeks. “Are you all right?”

  Cloe’s lips trembled, and she sniffed. She hadn’t realized she was crying until now. She nodded.

  “You’re sure?” Lindsey touched another tear that trickled down her cheek.

  “I never thought it would feel like this. I never thought I’d lose myself until all I felt was you. Just you. Kiss me. Please.”

  Lindsey kissed Cloe’s cheek then her mouth. It was a gentle kiss, a coming down from the glorious high Cloe felt minutes before. But tasting herself on Lindsey’s mouth ratcheted up Cloe’s desire once again.

  Cloe whispered, “I want to please you. Will you show me?” As she spoke, her eyes fluttered shut.

  Lindsey settled in beside her and pulled Cloe into her arms. “Later. For now, let me hold you.”

  Cloe snuggled even closer, and Lindsey gently kissed her forehead.

  * * *

  Lindsey leaned down to pull the sheet over them. She didn’t want to rouse Cloe, so she was careful in her movement. She lay back and ran her fingers through Cloe’s soft hair. She kissed her again on her forehead. Cloe stirred but didn’t wake.

  A new sound caught Lindsey’s attention. She at first wasn’t sure what it was. But when it got louder, and a snort rang out, she realized Fred must have entered the bedroom at some point. She raised her head slightly and saw him stretched out in his dog bed next to her bed.

  She whispered, “Not very romantic, Fred.” His ears twitched at the sound of his name, but another snore emitted from his mouth. Please don’t wake her up. Lindsey was enjoying the quiet and the peace she felt as she held Cloe.

  She’d been afraid that this would be too much for Cloe. Too much too soon. But Cloe’s response was everything Lindsey could hope for. The last thing she wanted to do was scare Cloe away. Lindsey felt things she thought had been tucked away in a neat little box. A box she’d sealed so tight because she’d never expected to experience the feelings again. Her attachment to Cloe only grew stronger with each time they were together. She hadn’t anticipated they would make love this quickly. She thought it’d take months for Cloe to trust her enough to let go. Yet, here they were.

  Make love? Had she just thought that? She continued petting Cloe’s hair as she tried the words on for size. Yes. We made love. It was more than sex. It had to be, or Cloe wouldn’t have initiated that kiss when they started.

  But was this what Lindsey wanted? She’d been so afraid to open up again, so afraid to bare her emotions to another woman. Even though she defended Elise to Cloe, she heard how the words sounded to her own ears. It was true. Elise had given up too soon. Lindsey finally accepted this, because she knew that if the situation were reversed, Cloe would’ve stuck with Lindsey through thick and thin. That’s what a relationship was all about. Lindsey understood Cloe’s skeptical expression when Lindsey told her about Elise. The fact that Lindsey felt like she needed to defend Elise was enough reason to know Elise had been wrong.

  Cloe stirred in her sleep and threw her leg over Lindsey’s. Lindsey bit her lip as her desire ramped up with the move. She was content, though, to hold Cloe until the morning light. This instance of making love to Cloe was enough. Lindsey’s eyes grew heavy with each breath she took. She drifted off to join Cloe in slumber.

  Lindsey was having a delicious dream, one she didn’t want to wake from. Lips lightly placed kisses between her breasts, while long hair fanned out on her chest. She hoped the mystery woman of her dreams would soon take a nipple in her mouth. Dear God. She did, and the sensation shot straight down to Lindsey’s groin. She pushed her chest up into the mouth even more and felt the woman’s lips curve into a smile. Lindsey ran her fingers through the woman’s hair and wondered at the thickness.

  Her eyes flew open. What she was feeling was real. Her fingers were entangled in Cloe’s hair as Cloe worshipped one nipple while caressing the other. She peered up at Lindsey and pushed her thigh into Lindsey’s center, causing Lindsey to gasp.

  Cloe rose up, and her breasts pressed against Lindsey’s. “What do you like?” She ducked her head for a moment in evident shyness. When she raised her head, her hazel eyes focused sharply on Lindsey. “I want to please you.”

  “You’re doing—” Lindsey’s voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. “You’re doing everything right.�
� She cupped Cloe’s cheeks. “Everything.”

  Cloe pressed her hands to either side of Lindsey and gained more leverage. She rubbed her thigh against Lindsey. “God, I can feel how wet you are.” With those words, Cloe held herself up with one hand as she dipped the other between Lindsey’s legs. Cloe moaned when her fingers slid through Lindsey’s drenched folds.

  “You did that to me.”

  “Yeah? I wonder what this would do.” Cloe pushed her thumb against Lindsey’s clit. Lindsey hissed at the contact. “Or this.” When Cloe dipped her finger into Lindsey, Lindsey almost came right away. Then Cloe withdrew and slid back in with two fingers.

  “Keep doing that. God, don’t stop.” Cloe kept up both motions—thrusting with her fingers and rubbing against Lindsey’s clit with her thumb. She leaned over to take a nipple between her lips and sucked it hard.

  Lindsey came undone. She gripped the sheets in both fists as her hips rose off the bed. Her orgasm seemed to go on forever. She reached down with one hand to stop Cloe’s motion. Then she felt the stirring of another orgasm. “God, what are you doing to me?” Her whole body tensed, and she cried out. Cloe stayed inside until the throbbing ebbed. When she started to pull out, Lindsey grabbed her hand. “Stay. Please stay. Just a little longer.” Eventually, she let Cloe ease out. She felt Cloe lie down beside her. She opened her eyes to see Cloe gazing at her lovingly.

  Cloe softly brushed aside hair from Lindsey’s forehead. She leaned down and pressed her lips to Cloe’s, her tongue dipping inside for a moment. She gave Lindsey a crooked grin as she leaned her elbow on the mattress and placed her chin in her open palm.

  Lindsey smiled back, sensing that Cloe was feeling pretty good about herself. “You should be smiling like that.”

  “Yeah?”

  Lindsey pulled Cloe to her for another kiss. “I would think I wouldn’t have to tell you. Couldn’t you feel it?”

  “Yes.” Cloe looked down then met Lindsey’s gaze again. “It’s that I’ve never done this before and. . .”

  “And you want to be sure.”

  Cloe nodded slightly.

  Lindsey quickly pushed Cloe onto her back. Cloe yelped at the sudden movement and giggled when Lindsey peppered her face with kisses. “All right! All right! I believe you.”

  Lindsey pressed her body into Cloe’s, already feeling like they could go again. But a loud snore sounded nearby. Lindsey flopped onto her back and threw her arm over her face. “Oh, God. How embarrassing.”

  Cloe laughed and peered over the side of the bed. “He seems content.”

  Lindsey rose up on one elbow and looked at her dog who didn’t seem to mind at all that he ruined the mood. He snored once more. Cloe laughed again, and Lindsey couldn’t help it. She joined in. It was funny.

  They lay beside each other and grew quiet. Lindsey hoped this didn’t mean Cloe was questioning what had happened.

  Cloe faced her and whispered, “Can I stay the night?”

  Lindsey turned on her side and possessively draped her arm around Cloe. “I’d be disappointed if you left.”

  “Good.” Cloe touched Lindsey’s cheek. “Because I’m not done with you yet.”

  “Feeling frisky?”

  “You have no idea.” Cloe scrunched up her face. “But could you maybe make Fred leave until we’re done?” Cloe laughed at the speed in which Lindsey jumped up and roused Fred from his sleep, taking him out to the hall by his collar.

  Lindsey approached the bed. As she stared down at Cloe’s beautiful body, she was trying to decide what she’d like to do next. She didn’t get the chance to think about it any further because Cloe grabbed her hand and yanked her back into bed. Cloe leaned over her and grinned. “Didn’t think you’d see this side of me, did you?”

  “I’m not complaining.”

  Chapter 19

  Cloe woke the next morning on her stomach. Sunshine filled the room, warming her bare shoulders. It took a moment to realize where she was. Lindsey’s cabin. Lindsey’s bedroom. Lindsey’s bed. She stretched out her hand. The space next to her was empty. She propped herself up on her elbows and glanced around the room.

  She hadn’t noticed much the night before. More-pressing matters occupied her mind. . . and hands. Lying back and stretching, she was about to wander the cabin in search of Lindsey. Her ring tone broke the silence. She leaned over and dug in the pocket of her shorts for her phone. Paige’s name popped up on the caller ID.

  “Hey,” Cloe said.

  “Hey, hey, Cloe Mae. How you doing today?”

  “Cute, Paige.”

  “You sound a little, I don’t know, raspy.”

  “I just woke up.”

  “Damn. It’s late for you. I thought you’d be at the store. I called there. Your mom said your other job had taken precedence, and she kind of giggled.”

  Cloe glanced at the bedside clock. Yeah, nine was late for her. Wait. Paige spoke with her mother? And her mother giggled? She slapped her hand over her face. Her mother knew. She had to. How was it mothers figured out these things? Come to think of it, it probably wasn’t that hard to deduce. Cloe had told her she was coming over to Lindsey’s to work.

  “Not sure why she giggled,” Paige said.

  “I slept with Lindsey.” Cloe kept her voice low.

  “Wha-what? Oh, my God. You’re in her bed, aren’t you? That’s why you’re talking so low.”

  “Yes,” Cloe hissed, glancing at the doorway in case Lindsey returned.

  “Sooo. . . how were the Oreos and milk?”

  “The Oreos and milk?”

  “You know what I’m talking about.”

  Cloe couldn’t help but laugh. In fact, she was a little giddy with happiness. “Let’s just say we shared more than one package.” Cloe held the phone away from her ear while Paige squealed.

  “I love this. I’m so proud of you, grasshopper.”

  Cloe was about to say something more when she noticed Lindsey standing in the doorway. She held a mug of coffee in one hand and a glass of orange juice in the other. Lindsey was sporting a smirk. Oh, God. How much had she heard?

  Cloe whispered, “I have to go.”

  “She’s right there, isn’t she? Busted!” Paige shouted before Cloe hung up.

  Lindsey, dressed in an oversized T-shirt—and it looked like nothing underneath—walked into the bedroom and handed Cloe her orange juice. “I remembered you like this.”

  “Thanks.” Cloe took the glass. “Please tell me you didn’t hear any of that conversation,” she said after she took a sip.

  “No.”

  Cloe closed her eyes in relief.

  “Unless you mean the stuff about Oreos and milk.” Lindsey raised an eyebrow. “I have a feeling you weren’t talking about cookies. Am I right?”

  Cloe let her chin fall to her chest. “You did hear that.” She peeked up at Lindsey. “Can we say we really were talking about Oreos?”

  Lindsey set her mug on the bedside table and sat back against the headboard. She interlinked her hands and put her arms behind her head. “Only if you thought the Oreos were the best you ever had.”

  Cloe laughed and in a quick move, straddled Lindsey. “Considering I’ve never had a full package before, they were beyond fantastic.”

  Lindsey gripped Cloe’s hips. “Oh, yeah?”

  Cloe leaned over and nipped Lindsey’s bottom lip. “You doubted that last night?” She swiped her tongue across the lip she’d just nibbled. Pulling off Lindsey’s shirt, she was pleased to find her completely nude. “Let me show you how much I enjoyed last night by opening another package.”

  They made love for another hour until they lay spent and sweating on top of the sheets. Cloe turned her head to look at Lindsey, and they shared smiles.

  Lindsey rolled onto her side and moved a stray lock of hair from Cloe’s forehead. “How are you really?” she asked softly.

  “You have to ask?”

  Lindsey caressed her cheek. “I think you know what I mean.”

  C
loe cupped her hand behind Lindsey’s neck and pulled her forward for a gentle kiss. “I remember last night that I never thought it would feel this way. Never thought my heart would feel like it was about to pound out of my chest, or that every nerve ending would feel so alive. I would say it’s everything I hoped it would be.” She leaned in for another kiss, parting Lindsey’s lips with her tongue. “But it’s much more. So much more. I feel like my life began last night.” Cloe watched closely for Lindsey’s reaction, afraid she might be revealing too much with her declaration.

  “It never felt like this for me, either.”

  “Not even with Elise?”

  “Not even with Elise.” Lindsey trailed her fingertips along Cloe’s neck and down her shoulder. “I’m honored that this was so special for you. I had hoped, but I still wanted to ask.” She gave a slight shrug and looked a little sheepish. “Maybe it’s an ego thing.”

  Cloe touched her fingers to Lindsey’s mouth. “It’s not an ego thing. It’s more of a caring thing. Thank you.” She glanced at the bedside clock. “I hate to do this, but I should probably check in with my mom.” She quirked a grin. “Although after talking with Paige, maybe not. Mom’s pretty on it when it comes to us.”

  Lindsey chuckled. “How about a shower before you go?”

  “Race you there,” Cloe said and giggled as Lindsey jumped up to chase her into the bathroom.

  The shower lasted until the water grew cold. Amused, Cloe had to admit that her breasts had never been washed so thoroughly. They dressed, and Lindsey followed her to the dining room where Cloe gathered up her work. She walked Cloe to the door with Fred trailing behind.

  “I’ll finish this so we can send the next set of pages to Sylvia. Do you want to get together this weekend?” Cloe held her breath, her insecurities seeping in for a moment.

  Lindsey kissed her cheek. “That’s a question?” Her eyes lit up as if she thought of something. “Hey, I saw in the paper that Chelsea Parker and Bailey Hampton are giving a lecture at IU Saturday night. I don’t know if you recognize their work?”